Camping & Trail Running at Lewis & Clark Cavern State Park PLUS: My New Big Project

 

We got a taste of the trails at the Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park back in March during the Expedition 12k race.  We've been to the Caverns before but we had no idea that this awesome trail system exists until then.  After that race we knew we had to go back and check out the trails on our own terms (in other words - not worrying about passing people or being passed).

 

The best part about going back and running/hiking the trails when not under pressure of a time clock is making up for all the missed opportunities to get awesome pictures, so most of this post is just that... trail porn.  But there is also a sneak peek at our upcoming project.

 

We drove in on Friday night after work and got the camp set up just in time for sunset pics.  Fires in Canada had blown in a thick layer of smoke that took over most of the state all day Friday.  You can tell it is a little hazy but by the end of the day at the campground it was at least a little better.

 

 

Mitch just can't resist the opportunity to be a goof when I take his picture.  This was home for the weekend.  The best thing (but hardest to get used to) was pretty much no cell service. 

 







 

 

Saturday morning the skies had almost cleared out of the smoke, much to my relief.  However, I slept in too long and didn't get out for the run until close to 11:00 am.  It was already quite warm and humid.  I've never been in a group campground that stayed quiet so late in to the morning.  I NEVER get to sleep in when we go camping and this trip I slept late both mornings!

 

The trail system is mapped out well and these signs are posted at most junctions along the trail.  To get the mileage I was aiming for I planned to do a full loop along the outside perimeter of the park and then turn around and go the other way.  That isn't quite the way things went but I still ended up with the 15 miles I had intended.  Mitch was having some knee pain and wasn't sure about a long run so on my first loop he set out for a mountain bike ride.  

 

Just a few beautiful pictures from my day on the trails. 

Here's where I tell you about our project!  I'm so excited!  While I was getting a few great pictures on my phone camera, I also took the GoPro.  Coming soon: RunWhichWay on YouTube!  Since we haven't done this before, I expect the first video to take a week or so to piece together and turn my clips in to an experience worth watching.  Unfortunately I had major technical difficulties with the sound quality so on the first edition we will have to find a way to work around that.  I'm looking forward to sharing our adventures in action.  Stay tuned because blog followers will get the first look!

I tried a new run fuel this trip.  Pictured below is Spring Energy Canaberry and I also tried the Long Haul.  Long Haul tasted too much like peanut butter and I wasn't a fan, but the Canaberry was very similar to one of my favorite running fuels made by CLIF.  But this is better because the package is much more manageable in size.  Spring Energy is made of natural ingredients and more "real food" than the typical gels.  This one (and maybe all of their flavors) is Vegan.  They are a bit pricier than Gu or Hammer, running about $2.30/package.  The ingredients are worth the extra few cents.

One last pretty spot in the last mile of my first loop....

I didn't take pictures on the second loop of the run and I probably should have since Mitch came with me and we took a different trail.  It was a physical struggle climbing to the Upper Visitors' Center a second time and I wasn't thinking much about the view any more.  I did a total of 15 miles and over 3,000 feet of elevation gain.

I was super tired by the end of it.  Not to mention very dirty!!  Thankfully the campground had showers - worth every bit of the $3 for 6 minutes to wash off the bug spray, sunscreen and trail dirt.

 

We will definitely camp there again.  If you haven't been to the Caverns the tour is very cool if you don't mind dark places and bats.  As you can see, the trails are amazing all by themselves and it doesn't cost anything to hike/bike/run on them unless you stay in the campground.  Go check it out!



First Race of the Season, Spring has Sprung & My Weak Link

Last weekend was Run to the Pub - the kick off race to our season.  We finally got a decent break in the weather and we didn't freeze to death.  I will be posting a race recap and review later in the week so stay tuned.  Spoiler alert:  We finished!

I felt pretty good for that run consider the mileage I put in during the preceding days.  I did a 20 miler the day before.  I had never done this route.  I basically ran from one end of the city to the other and then back tracked to my office where I'd left my truck the day before.  The snow and ice made it challenging and seemed slow.  I don't know if I'll do that again.

 

 

I took the Monday following the race off from work and since I would be flying out for work on Tuesday, I hit the roads for my Tuesday Ten on Monday instead.  Spring weather is finally here!

 

I bought a new pair of shoes - Topo Magnifly 2s.  I wanted something that is low drop (zero) and wide in the toe box with a little cushion.  I tried on a pair of the Altra Torin's, which I have loved in the past but the current model had way more fluff than I wanted.  The Topos are very nice, but I'm not sure yet if they are going to work for me.  I'm suffering from pain in my right foot and at this point I'm unsure if that is a result of these shoes or the sandals I wore for 3 days while traveling.

PS.  Somehow I already have a sock tan line.  How is that possible?

After my ten-miler, I took myself on a date to the 406.  The restaurant has been open at least a couple of years now, but this is only the second time I have been there.  I was highly unimpressed the first time.  This apple-brie grilled cheese was pretty decent though and the beer was delicious (sadly I can't recall what kind it was).  Sometimes it's just nice to go on a lonely date, but it was entirely unnecessary since I would have to do it a couple of times while I was traveling anyway.

I went to Oklahoma City on Tuesday.  I knew it would be difficult to get in my training, but it was my goal to do it regardless.  Unfortunately, traveling is my weak link.  I eat terrible and work too late in to the night and I didn't get much running in at all.

I did get a running tour of Bricktown on the first night.  I ran from my hotel to the canal trail and through downtown, along the canal again at the Botanical Garden before heading back to my room.  I loved the trail along the canal but construction areas made it so that I couldn't easily get from one side to the other.  I do love this city. 

This is the Botanical Gardens (can you see the trees growing inside?).  From the front it looks like a space shuttle capsule. The canal trail goes under the building which is pretty neat and the canal is full of enormous Koi.  I took a picture, but it didn't do them justice.

On Wednesday and Thursday I should have run 9 miles each day but I was up until after Midnight working both of the preceding nights.  Getting up early just didn't happen. So I got a quick mile on Wednesday and 4.5 on Thursday using the hotel treadmill.  My view from the treadmill was kind of cool but nowhere near as awesome as running the city.

I've listened to the audiobook version of "My Year of Running Dangerously" by Tom Foreman a few times.  It's really good book and the author reads it himself.  He's very engaging to listen to unlike many of the audio books I have downloaded on my Audible app.  The first several chapters of the story is about how he and his daughter decided to do a marathon together and his training adventures while working as a busy news anchor.  This guy worked 100 hour weeks, traveling all over the place, running on strange streets and on strange trails (even after dark without a headlamp) and always managed to get in his miles. I need to be more like this guy.

I took Friday off because I had to finish preparing for my final work meeting while in OKC and then my travel home wouldn't get me in to Billings until 10:00 pm. 

Then I ended up taking Saturday off as well.  My right foot has been bothering me quite a bit this week.  I opted to work on getting out kinks so I did some hot/cold therapy - switching back and forth between ice and heating pad and massaging it with a golf ball and Tiger Balm. 

It feels much better and I am heading out for 18 miles shortly. 

I'll be home for a week and it's hell week on my training schedule.  I have 3 days of 10 milers in the middle of the week and a long run of 21 miles on Saturday.  There are no rest days over the next two weeks.  I will need to evaluate if that is a wise strategy for me as I put on the miles.  I have another week of work travel coming up too.

Four weeks until Revel Mt. Charleston.  I feel really good about my endurance, but I'm not overly confident about my speed.  I'm perfectly capable of maintaining the necessary pace on down hills but I haven't had enough training on extended down hill to know if I can maintain the speed as long as needed.  My training has been very hilly with plenty of ups and downs so I'm hoping that will translate in to a solid base over all.  For better or worse, the time is near and I'm excited to be going to Vegas regardless.

BTW... I'm still working on Mitch, trying to talk him in to letting me do Javelina Jundred in October.  It's more the traveling logistics that are complicated (and expensive) than anything else.  If you have any great suggestions on how to get all your 100 mile gear for a HOT weather race to a location 1200 miles away and still be somewhat frugal, I'm listening.

It's Been Redundant But I Can Finally See the Light

The last few weeks I've spent many miles between the treadmill and the path at Swords Park.  Montana experienced an insanely cold February with sub-zero temps more days than above.  I'm beyond grateful that I have a treadmill at home even if I hate to run on it.

 

But sometimes I just have to get outside and brave the cold no matter what or I will lose my mind.  I have put many miles on the path at Swords Park because they usually plow it.  However, a snow storm followed by strong winds made the trail quite challenging if I beat the plow there.  You can't see much of me because it was -4.  Even my eyeballs were frozen.  Why do I live where my eyeballs freeze?

Looking back over my Strava, the last ten days have literally been Treadmill, Swords Park, Treadmill, Swords Park, Treadmill, Swords Park......

The redundancy is starting to get to me.  On Sunday I had 18 miles to run and had planned to run Molt hills in to town but as Mitch was driving me out to the start point I had to change my game plan.  The sidewalks were in bad shape from the snow and had ice slicks from the melt off that was just starting to happen (finally).  My plan B was to run Swords Park.  It's only about 3.25 miles from end to end so that would mean doing about 3 out and back trips.  Ugh.  But it was a beautiful day and there were lots of runners out there.  Even Mitch went out and did 13.6 miles on his own!

Swords Park is also an easy place to meet after work to get some miles in.  Sometimes the views are pretty amazing so I shouldn't complain so much.

There is light at the end of tunnel finally.  Spring weather is on the horizon and we are starting to warm up.  This weekend is Run to the Pub half marathon in Bozeman and the forecast says it will be in the upper 30's.  Perfect.  I don't have any goals for this race.  In fact, I have a 21 miler that I will be doing the day before so I don't expect to have much left in my legs. 

I just ordered a new pair of running shoes.  I love the Brooks that I have been wear testing but they aren't great on down hills.  Since my marathon is all down hill I had to choose an alternative.  I have a pair of Topos that I love for working out.  They have a funny split toe so they look like deer toes.  The ones I ordered are similar to Altras in that they are zero drop and have a wide toe box.  I can't wait for them to get here.  Sadly they will arrive the day I'm leaving for Bozeman.

I also got a new cookbook.  Has anyone else tried a Hungry Girl cookbook?  I love her recipes which I usually get off the internet.  I made the Sloppy Janes last night and they were really good.

 



Have a great week!  I'll see you after the race this weekend.